The Kings and Queens tame the Lions, the men pick up their first victory of the season

Red Deer, September 23, 2023 – For the first time this season the Kings and Queens Soccer team's sweep the day with victories as they both defeated the Ambrose University Lions in Red Deer on Saturday afternoon.

The Queens defeated the Lions 5-0 with two goals from Quinn Daku and the Kings match was much closer with a 4-3 win against the team out of Calgary.

See details below from each match victory.

Women's Soccer – Ambrose University Lions 0 at Queens 5

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens offense pulled out all the stops offensively in Red Deer on Saturday as they came away with a commanding 4-0 victory over the visiting Ambrose University Lions.

After a back and forth match with the Queens dominating the possession game, midfielder Sofia Quinteros (Practical Nursing) would open the scoring for her team as she found the back of the net off a pass from Erica Navarro (Bachelor of Science in Nursing).

Moments later, forward Rylyn Morse (Bachelor of Education) put a header off the post from a corner kick but then finished her own rebound to make it 2-0 Queens.

In injury time, forward Anessa Harrod (Open Studies) would add to the Polytechnic lead with a goal from outside the 18-yard box off a pass from midfielder Rilyn Clement (Pre-Health Sciences).

The Queens outshot the Lions 7-1 at the half with the lone shot from Ambrose coming off a free kick in the early goings of this Saturday afternoon match-up.

Second-year Quinn Daku (Open Studies) would really open it up for the Queens as she would score her first goal of the season after coming on as a substitute in the first half.

The Queens were awarded a penalty kick after Harrod was taken out in the box. Goalkeeper Abby Kotyk (Bachelor of Kinesiology) was given the opportunity to take it but she was stopped by the opposing keeper Joy Watson to keep it 4-0 as she dove to her right to make the save.

But moments later, the Queens would add to their lead with Daku scoring her second of the game. She was later named the player of the game with her two-goal performance as she led the Queens to a 5-0 victory. Lions Veronica Ellyas (Bachelor of Science in Biology) was named the player of the match for her team with her outstanding performance in the midfield.

Head Coach Mahziar Peyrow was quite pleased with his team's play today but believes they have another gear as they enter the crucial part of their season.

"Our team played well. We really moved the ball well from the back. I have to be honest the Lions have come a long way since last year so they have done extremely well to build. They parked the bus on us and did a great job not allowing any balls through. But our girls did well to draw them out which is when the goals started to come for us."

The Queens will be back in action next week Saturday at home when they take on the Olds College Broncos at 12 pm. As for the Lions, they will play the Broncos tomorrow at 2 pm in Calgary.

Men's Soccer – Ambrose University Lions 3 at Kings 4

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings picked up their first victory at their home opener of the season as they defeated the Ambrose University Lions in a very tight matchup that came down to the last minute.

With the Kings playoff hopes slipping, they were able to shock the Lions with the opening goal as midfielder Kohen Meckelborg (Bachelor of Business Administration), a transfer from Northwestern Polytechnic, would finish a pass from striker Grant Johnson (Legal Assistant) to open the scoring in Saturday afternoon Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) action.

After coming up with the assist on the first goal, Johnson would score a goal of his own to take a 2-0 lead late in the first half for the Kings.

At the half, the Polytechnic was slightly outshooting the visiting Ambrose University 5-3 but Red Deer was dominating the possession game. Ambrose had their chances but was stopped by the Kings defense and rookie goalkeeper Brian Murray, who is starting his first career in the ACAC.

Kings midfielder Ajdin Sarcevic (Business Administration) would open up the second half scoring after beating a few defenders in the midfield then finishing it bottom corner to go up 3-0.

But seconds later off the kick after the whistle was blown to start the play back up following the goal, midfielder Brady de Castro (General Studies) caught the Kings goalkeeper off his line as he popped one in from his own half-circle to end the clean sheet bit for Murray.

Moments later, winger Lyndon McLaren (Legal Assistant) was given a prime opportunity but was robbed by the sliding Nathan Yeung (Bachelor of Science in Biology).

The Lions would strike within one goal after Aristotle Cruz (Business Administration) came off the flank and put one top shelf to make it 3-2.

The visitors would tie it up with a beautiful one-two play ending with Cruz's one-timer.

But Johnson would pick up his second goal and third point of the game moments later on a breakaway to give his team the lead and ultimately, the victory.

Head Coach Admir Sarcevic explained his team really played with urgency in an almost must-win scenario for the Kings.

"We knew this game coming into it was so important for us. We emphasized the whole week at training about the importance of this match against the Lions and being ready to go right from the start. We wanted to press and we pressed high and it paid off with us coming home with the victory."

The Legal Assistant student-athlete would pick up the player of the match for the Kings with midfielder Bryce Turnipseed (General Studiers) picking up the honours for the Lions.

Ambrose University will be back in action at home tomorrow as they welcome the Olds College Broncos at 4 pm. The Kings will have a bye tomorrow but will take on the Broncos next week Saturday at 2 pm.